Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electro-optical device including: first display elements divided into at least a first region and a second region, for displaying a first image, and second display elements each divided into at least a third region and a fourth region, for displaying a second image, the first and second display elements being arranged such that each third region is disposed between the first region and the second region of the adjacent first display element and each second region is disposed between the third region and the fourth region of the adjacent second display element; a parallax barrier layer provided on a side of the display elements adjacent to a viewer, the parallax barrier having light transmitting regions at positions thereof corresponding to boundaries between adjoining first and third regions as well as between adjoining second and fourth regions; and a spacer layer separating the display elements from the parallax barrier layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.12/275,295 filed Nov. 21, 2008 which claims priority to JapaneseApplication Nos. 2008-082824 filed Mar. 27, 2008 and 2008-189450 filedJul. 23, 2008 all of which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electro-optical device andelectronic apparatus suitably employed for displaying a variety ofinformation. More specifically, the invention relates to anelectro-optical device used as a two screen displaying device whichshows different viewers at different viewing positions different images,or to an electro-optical device used as a three dimensional displayingdevice which displays a three dimensional image.

2. Related Art

Known examples of an electro-optical device include a two screendisplaying device which provides different images for different viewersat different viewing positions and a three dimensional displaying devicewhich displays a three dimensional image. An example of a display systemof such kind of display device includes a parallax barrier system. Forexample, JP-A-2005-78094 discloses a visual display unit which has aliquid crystal display panel having two substrates, one of which islocated closer to the viewers and provided with a parallax barrierdisposed thereon. The parallax barrier has an array of verticallyextending openings formed and arranged at predetermined positionsthereof in a stripe pattern. For example, when a first and second imagesare provided for first and second viewers at different viewingpositions, respectively, the openings in the parallax barrier are formedto allow the first viewer to see only the first image and the secondviewer to see only the second image. Furthermore, in a display devicewhich provides a three dimensional image for a viewer, openings in theparallax barrier are formed and arranged to allow the viewer to see animage for the left eye with the left eye and an image for the right eyewith the right eye.

Incidentally, it is necessary to place the parallax barrier and adisplaying element separated by a certain space from each other, wherebythe different images are visible from different directions. Therefore,the display disclosed in JP-A-2005-78094 has a transparent layer such asof a resin located between the parallax barrier and an image-displayinglayer.

However, the resin layer is required to have a thickness as large as 30μm to 60 μm, according to the technology disclosed in JP-A-2005-78094.Such a large thickness tends to cause an unevenness of the resin layer,which may disadvantageously lead to a crosstalk. Here, the word“crosstalk” means leakage of light into one image from another image,which is due to various factors. For example, in a case where the firstand second images are provided for the first and second viewers indifferent positions, respectively, the first viewer sees not only thefirst image but also part of the second image and the second viewer seesnot only the second image but also part of the first image due to theoccurrence of the crosstalk. In case of a display device for presentinga three dimensional image for a viewer, the viewer sees with the lefteye not only an image for the left eye but also an image for the righteye. Likewise, the viewer sees with the right eye not only the image forthe right eye but also part of the image for the left eye.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a crosstalk isreduced to improve display quality in an electro-optical deviceemploying, for example, a parallax barrier system.

An electro-optical device according to the present invention includes:first display elements each divided into at least a first region and asecond region, for displaying a first image, and second display elementseach divided into at least a third region and a fourth region, fordisplaying a second image, the first and second display elements beingarranged such that each third region is disposed between the firstregion and the second region of the adjacent first display element andeach second region is disposed between the third region and the fourthregion of the adjacent second display element; a parallax barrier layerprovided on a side of the display elements adjacent to a viewer, theparallax barrier having light transmitting regions at positions thereofcorresponding to boundaries between adjoining first and third regions aswell as between adjoining second and fourth regions; and a spacer layerseparating the display elements from the parallax barrier layer.

According to the electro-optical device described above, imagesdisplayed on the first and third regions are seen through the lighttransmitting regions provided at positions corresponding to theboundaries between them, and images displayed on the second and fourthregions are seen through the light transmitting regions provided atpositions corresponding to the boundaries between them. Here, the thirdregion is disposed between the first region and the second region, andthe second region is disposed between the third region and the fourthregion. Therefore the first image displayed on the first and secondregions and the second image displayed on the third and fourth regionsare seen from different directions. In the above describedelectro-optical device, each of the first display elements is dividedinto the first and second regions and each of the second displayelements is divided into the third and fourth regions, whereby theminimum unit width of the display element is smaller than that of adisplay element without being divided. Therefore, it is possible todecrease a distance necessary for generating a parallax, i.e. thethickness of the spacer layer and, hence, the overall thickness of theelectro-optical device.

Number of divisions are not limited to two. The larger the number ofdivisions becomes, the smaller the required thickness of the spacerlayer becomes since the widths of the display regions becomes smaller.Material of the spacer layer is not limited as long as the spacer layeris light transmissive, for instance, a sheet of glass, a sheet ofplastic, a transparent inorganic film, a transparent resin layer or thelike being applicable. The present invention is particularly useful in astructure where an over-coating layer formed by coating resin is used asthe spacer layer, because the greater thickness of over-coating layertends to disadvantageously cause unevenness of the over-coating layer.

To obtain a proper parallax, the thickness of the spacer layer “dth” isset to be slightly larger than a pitch “pch” at which adjoining firstand third regions are arranged or adjoining second and fourth regionsare arranged. More particularly, the thickness dth and the arrangementpitch pch are set so that a formula 1.1≦dth/pch≦1.3 holds. To apply theresin over coat with a constant thickness, it is preferable to set thethickness 20 μm. Therefore the arrangement pitch pch needs to be 18.2 μmor less. In other words, it is desirable to set the number of divisionsof the first display element and the second display element to satisfythe condition of pch<18.2 holds.

Also, slits can serve as the light transmitting regions, being providedalong the boundaries between adjoining first and third regions as wellas between adjoining second and fourth regions.

The electro-optical device may be applied to electro-optical devicescapable of displaying color images in which a plurality of subpixelsdisplay different colors from each other to form a color pixel. In thiscase, the first display element or the second display element serves asone of a plurality of subpixels. The first display element and thesecond display element may correspond to colors different from eachother or, alternatively, to an identical color.

Practically, the electro-optical device may be arranged such that, forexample, each of the first display elements includes a first pixelelectrode which is divided into a first pixel electrode segment and asecond pixel electrode segment corresponding to the first region and thesecond region, respectively, the second pixel electrode segment beingconnected to the first pixel electrode segment, while each of the seconddisplay elements includes a second pixel electrode which is divided intoa third pixel electrode segment and a fourth pixel electrode segmentcorresponding to the third region and the fourth region, respectively,the fourth pixel electrode segment being connected to the third pixelelectrode segment.

In this practical example, it is preferable that a first switchingelement is connected to the first pixel electrode, a first data line isconnected to the first switching element, a second switching element isconnected to the second pixel electrode, a second data line is connectedto the second switching element, and a common scanning line is connectedto the first switching element and the second switching element. In thiscase, it is preferable that the first switching element is connected toeach of the first pixel electrodes via the first pixel electrodesegment, and the second switching element is connected to each of thesecond pixel electrodes via the fourth pixel electrode segment.

Also, it is desirable that the device contains a first substrate onwhich the parallax barrier layer and the spacer layer are laminated, asecond substrate facing the first substrate, and an electro-opticalmaterial layer sealed between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate. For example, a liquid crystal layer may be used as theelectro-optical material layer. The first pixel electrode and the secondpixel electrode are formed preferably on the second substrate. A colorlayer may be formed on the first substrate in addition to the parallaxbarrier layer and the spacer layer. Furthermore, electro-optical devicemay be provided with a lightning unit emitting light toward the secondsubstrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a liquid crystal displaying panel of the liquidcrystal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating a structure of pixel electrodes of atypical liquid crystal device.

FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating a structure of pixel electrodes ofthe liquid crystal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite image formed fromtwo images.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a composite image formed fromtwo images.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view illustrating in a greater scale a typicalliquid crystal displaying panel.

FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating in a greater scale the liquidcrystal displaying panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of the pixelelectrodes of an example of a practical modification of the liquidcrystal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of the pixelelectrodes of an example of a practical modification of the liquidcrystal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of an electronic apparatus to which avisual display unit of the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example of the electronic apparatus to which thevisual display unit of the embodiment is applied.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Liquid Crystal Device)

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal device 100 as anelectro-optical device according to an embodiment. The liquid crystaldevice 100 is a visual display unit which employs a parallax barriersystem. The liquid crystal device 100 performs, for example, two-screendisplay for displaying different images to a plurality of viewers atdifferent view positions or three dimensional display for displayingthree dimensional images. In the following description, the liquidcrystal device 100 is assumed to perform the two-screen display for thesake of convenience of illustration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device 100 according to theembodiment mainly includes a liquid crystal display panel 20 and alighting unit 10.

The liquid crystal display panel 20 is configured such that a substrate1 and a substrate 2 are adhered to each other through a sealing member 3placed therebetween. The inner space between the substrates 1 and 2 isfilled with liquid crystal 4 as an electro-optical material. Thesubstrate 1 has a plurality of pixel electrodes 5 disposed on the innersurface adjacent to the liquid crystal 4. Each pixel electrode 5, acounter electrode 7 and the liquid crystal 4 filled therebetween form adisplay element. Each of the pixel electrodes 5 is divided into tworegions corresponding to pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b. Theseelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b in combination form a single pixelelectrode 5 and are connected to each other to receive common imagedata. There is an RGB color layer formed with R (red) layer component, G(green) layer component and B (Blue) layer component, each of the colorlayer components being disposed at a position corresponding to one ofthe pixel electrodes 5. A set of RGB layer components together with theassociated pixel electrodes 5 forms a color pixel. In other words, eachpixel electrode 5 is one of subpixel electrodes which are constituentsof one color pixel. More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, each set oftwo pixel electrode segments forms the associated subpixel electrode:namely, the pair of pixel electrode segments for the color layercomponent RcR correspond to a single subpixel, and the pair of pixelelectrode segments for the color layer component GcL correspond toanother single subpixel. Similarly, the pair of pixel electrode segmentsfor the color layer component BcR correspond to a different singlesubpixel, and the pair of pixel electrode segments for the color layercomponent RcL correspond to a further different single subpixel.

Sequentially formed on the inner surface of the substrate 2 are aparallax barrier 9, an over-coating layer 8 as a spacer layer, a colorlayer 6 configured with the RGB layer components and serving as a colorfilter, and a counter electrode 7. The RGB layer components of the colorlayer 6 are disposed locally at positions corresponding to the pixelelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b, and the counter electrode 7 is formedover the inner surface of the substrate 2.

The lighting unit 10 is disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel20. The lighting unit 10 emits light, causing the light to pass throughthe liquid crystal display panel 20 thereby illuminating the liquidcrystal display panel 20. A rear polarizing plate 12 b is disposedbetween the liquid crystal display panel 20 and the lighting unit 10 anda front polarizing plate 12 a is disposed on a light emitting side ofthe liquid crystal display panel 20.

The parallax barrier 9 has slits 9S disposed therein at a predeterminedinterval, each of the slits 9S serving as a light transmitting region.Only the slits 9S in the parallax barrier 9 function as the lighttransmitting regions which transmit the light, and the parallax barrier9 itself functions as a light shielding region which blocks the light.The slits 9S are positioned in alternate regions corresponding toboundaries between the successive adjacent color layer components. Morespecifically, the slits 9S are arranged so that the color layercomponents disposed on both sides of any slit 9S carry different colors.

The over-coating layer 8 is provided between the parallax barrier 9 andthe color layer 6, and is formed from, for example, acrylic resin. Theover-coating layer 8 has a function to separate the parallax barrier 9and the liquid crystal 4 by a certain distance, so as to enable viewers11R and 11L at different viewing positions to observe different images.

The light emitted from the lighting unit 10 is incident on the liquidcrystal display panel 20, transmitted through the color layer 6, passedthrough the slits 9S, and then emitted from the liquid crystal displaypanel 20. The light emitted from the liquid crystal display panel 20 isincident on the eyes of a plurality of viewers 11R and 11L at differentviewing positions.

In the liquid crystal device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the color layercomponents of the color layer 6 which transmits the light to be incidenton the eyes of the viewer 11R are represented by the color layercomponents RcR, GcR and BcR, and the color layer components whichtransmits the light to be incident on the eyes of the viewer 11L arerepresented by the color layer components RcL, GcL and BcL (BcL is notshown in the figure). Here, two pixel electrode segments correspondingto two color layer components RcR are connected to each other, two pixelelectrode segments corresponding to two color layer components GcR areconnected to each other, and two pixel electrode segments correspondingto two color layer components BcR are connected to each other. Thus,each set of two color layer components RcR forms a subpixel SGR.Similarly, each set of two color layer components BcR forms anothersubpixel SGR, and each set of two color layer components GcR (only oneGcR is shown in the figure) forms a different subpixel SGR. The lightseen by the viewer 11R is emitted through these subpixels SGR. Likewise,each set of two color layer components RcL forms another subpixel SGL,and each set of two color layer components GcL and two color layercomponents BcL (BcL is not shown in the figure) forms a differentsubpixel SGL. The light seen by the viewer 11L is emitted through thesesubpixels SGL.

For example, the light passing through the color layer component BcRtravels through the slit 9S located in the position corresponding to aboundary between the color layer component BcR and the color layercomponent RcL, being incident on the eyes of the viewer 11L as indicatedby dashed lines.

Configurations of driving circuits of the liquid crystal display panel20 will now be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid crystaldisplaying panel 20 of the liquid crystal device 100 according to thisembodiment. It is to be understood that FIG. 1 referred to in theforegoing description shows the liquid crystal device 100 taken alongthe line I-I of FIG. 2, with the driving circuits omitted. In thefollowing description, a term “Y direction” is used to mean thelengthwise direction of the drawing sheet of FIG. 2, i.e., a columndirection, while “X direction” means the crosswise direction of thedrawing sheet, i.e., a line direction.

A plurality of scanning lines 24 and a plurality of data lines 25 arearranged in a matrix on the inner surface of the substrate 1. Switchingelements 26 such as TFT (thin film transistor) devices are locatedcorresponding to intersections of the scanning lines 24 and the datalines 25. Two comb-tooth-shaped pixel electrodes 5 are located in aregion defined by the scanning lines 24 and the data lines 25, each ofthe pixel electrodes 5 being electrically connected to the switchingelement 26. The pixel electrode 5 is formed with the pixel electrodesegments 5 a and the pixel electrode segment 5 b electrically connectedto the pixel electrode segment 5 a.

The substrate 1 has a region which extends outwardly in X directionbeyond an adjacent end of the substrate 2, as well as a region whichextends outwardly in Y direction beyond an adjacent end of the substrate2. A scanning line driving circuit 21 is arranged on the inner surfaceof the substrate 1 in the region extending in the X direction and a dataline driving circuit 22 is arranged on the inner surface of thesubstrate 1 in the region extending in the Y direction.

Each of the data lines 25 denoted by S1 to Sn (n is a natural number)extends in the Y direction, being arranged adjacent to one another witha predetermined interval therebetween in the X direction. The data lines25 are electrically connected to the data line driving circuit 22 at oneends thereof. The data line driving circuit 22 is electrically connectedto an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 23 via lines 32. The FPC 23 iselectrically connected to external electronic apparatus and the dataline driving circuit 22 receives control signals from a control unit 40of the external electronic apparatus through the FPC 23. The data linedriving circuit 22 supplies data signals to the data lines 25 denoted byS1 to Sn in accordance with the control signals.

Each of the scanning lines 24 denoted by G1 to Gm (m is a naturalnumber) extends in the X direction, being arranged adjacent to oneanother with a predetermined interval therebetween in the Y direction.The scanning lines are electrically connected to a scanning line drivingcircuit 21 at one ends thereof. The scanning line driving circuit 21 iselectrically connected to lines 33 electrically connected to theexternal electronic apparatus. The scanning line driving circuit 21receives the control signals from the control unit 40 of the externalelectronic apparatus through the lines 33. The scanning line drivingcircuit 21 sequentially supplies scanning signals to the scanning linesdenoted by G1 to Gm in accordance with the control signals.

The counter electrode 7 is electrically connected to the data linedriving circuit 22 via a line 34, the line being connected to a COMterminal to which a common potential (reference potential) is applied.The data line driving circuit 22 supplies driving signals through theline 34 in accordance with the control signals from the externalelectronic apparatus so as to drive the counter electrode 7.

The scanning line driving circuit 21, in accordance with the controlsignals supplied from the control unit 40, sequentially and exclusivelyselects the scanning lines 24 in an order from G1 to Gm and supplies thescanning signals to the selected scanning lines 24. The data linedriving circuit 22 supplies data signals corresponding to displaycontents to the pixel electrodes 5 arranged at the positionscorresponding to the selected scanning lines 24 through the data lines25 in accordance with the control signals supplied from the control unit40. By doing so, potentials are applied to these pixel electrodes 5 andthe orientations of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal 4arranged between the pixel electrodes 5 and the counter electrode 7 arechanged so that the liquid crystal display panel 20 enters a non-displaymode or an intermediate-display mode to display a desired image thereon.That is, the control unit 40 supplies the control signals to thescanning line driving circuit 21 and the data line driving circuit 22 soas to control the scanning signals and the data signals supplied to thescanning lines 24 and the data lines 25, respectively, whereby a desiredimage can be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 20.

Each pixel electrode segment of the subpixel SGR and each pixelelectrode segment of the subpixel SGL are in an alternate arrangement.Therefore, the image observed by the viewer 11R is displayed by changingthe orientation of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal 4arranged between the pixel electrodes 5 (more precisely, pixel electrodesegments 5 a and 5 b) corresponding to the subpixel SGR and the counterelectrode 7. Likewise, the image observed by the viewer 11L is displayedby changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules of theliquid crystal 4 arranged between the pixel electrodes 5 (moreprecisely, pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b) corresponding to thesubpixel SGL and the counter electrode 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a structure of the pixel electrode 5is described in detail. FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating structuresof pixel electrodes of a typical liquid crystal device. FIG. 3B is aplan view illustrating structures of pixel electrodes of the liquidcrystal device according to the embodiment. Alphabet symbols written inthe pixel electrodes 5 indicate the color layer components assigned tothe pixel electrodes 5.

In a typical liquid crystal device, undivided rectangular (or square)pixel electrodes 5 are arranged in the regions defined by scanning lines24 and data lines 25, each of the pixel electrodes 5 corresponding to asingle subpixel SGR or SGL, as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the pixelelectrode 5 corresponding to a color layer component RcR and the pixelelectrode 5 corresponding to a color layer component GcL are arranged inrespective regions defined by the scanning lines 24 and the data lines25 as shown in FIG. 3A. As is seen from FIG. 3A, slits 9S of a parallaxbarrier 9 are positioned in regions corresponding to the boundariesbetween adjacent pixel electrodes 5.

Comparing to this known arrangement, according to the illustratedembodiment, two pixel electrodes 5, each of which divided in acomb-tooth shape, are located in the region defined by the scanninglines 24 and the data lines 25 in the liquid crystal device 100. Thecomb-tooth-shaped pixel electrodes 5 are arranged interdigitating withone another, whereby the subpixel SGR and the subpixel SGL are in thealternate arrangement.

Specifically, the comb-tooth-shaped pixel electrode 5 is formed with thepixel electrode segment 5 a, the pixel electrode segment 5 b and a line35 interconnecting the pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b. The pixelelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b corresponding to the color layercomponent RcR are arranged in the region corresponding to the subpixelSGR and the pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b corresponding to thecolor layer component GcL are arranged in the region corresponding tothe subpixel SGL.

The pixel electrode segment 5 a is deposited on a place corresponding toa point of intersection of each scanning line 24 and each data line 25,being connected to the scanning line 24 and the data line 25 via theswitching element 26. The pixel electrode segment 5 b is in a directelectrical connection with the pixel electrode segment 5 a via the line35. Therefore, the potential applied to the pixel electrode segment 5 bis equivalent to the potential applied to the pixel electrode segment 5a which is in the direct electrical connection with the pixel electrodesegment 5 b. The color layer component corresponding to the pixelelectrode segment 5 b carries the same color as the color layercomponent corresponding to the pixel electrode segment 5 a which is inthe direct electrical connection with the pixel electrode segment 5 b.For example, the pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b corresponding tothe color layer component RcR is electrically connected to each other,and also the pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b corresponding to thecolor layer component GcL is in the direct electrical connection witheach other, as shown in FIG. 3B.

The two comb-tooth-shaped pixel electrodes 5 are arrangedinterdigitating with one another so that the four pixel electrodesegments of two pixel electrodes 5 are in the alternate arrangement, thetwo pixel electrodes 5 being electrically connected to the two switchingelements 26, in the liquid crystal device 100 in this embodiment. Thatis, the subpixel SGR and the subpixel SGL are in the alternatearrangement. The slits 9S of the parallax barrier 9 are located at thepositions corresponding to the boundaries between the adjacent pixelelectrodes 5. More specifically, the slit 9S is arranged in two out ofthree regions, each of three regions being located between adjacentpixel electrode segments, excluding the central region sandwichedtherebetween. The pixel electrode segments positioned at one side ofeither of the slits 9 s are commonly connected to one switching element26, thus forming the aforesaid “first pixel electrode”, while the pixelelectrode segments positioned at the other side of either of the slits 9s are commonly connected to the other switching element 26, thus formingthe aforesaid “second pixel electrode”.

In short, the pixel electrodes according to the liquid crystal device100 of this embodiment is configured such that each of the two pixelelectrodes in the known parallax-barrier-type liquid crystal device isdivided into the pixel electrode segments, and these pixel electrodesegments of both pixel electrode are arranged alternately.

(How to Display Images)

A combined image displayed by the liquid crystal device 100 ishereinafter described in detail.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating how to generate acombined image for display by combining a right image A and a left imageB. The right image A is displayed for the viewer 11R, and the left imageB is displayed for the viewer 11L. A combined image, designated at C1,is generated by combining the right image A and the left image B in theknown parallax-barrier-type display device. The combined image,indicated at C2, is the image actually displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 20 of the liquid crystal device 100 of the embodiment.

The right image A is composed of unit images RR11 to RR14, GR 11 to GR14and BR11 to BR14. The word “unit image(s)” represents a monochrome imagedisplayed by a unit of subpixel. The first alphabetic characters of thereference characters RR, GR and BR represent red (R), green (G) and blue(B), respectively, also the second alphabetic characters of thereference characters RR, GR and BR indicate that the unit images areinput image data for the right image A. The right image A includes four,first to fourth, color pixels in FIG. 4. The first color pixel isconfigured with the unit images RR11, GR11 and BR11. The second colorpixel is configured with the unit images RR12, GR12 and BR12. The thirdcolor pixel is configured with the unit images RR13, GR13 and BR13. Thefourth color pixel is configured with the unit images RR14, GR14 andBR14.

The left image B is composed of unit images RL11 to RL14, GL11 to GL14and BL11 to BL14. The first alphabetic characters of the referencecharacters RL, GL and BL represent red (R), green (G) and blue (B),respectively, also the second alphabetic characters of the referencecharacters RL, GL and BL indicate that the unit images are input imagedata for the left image B. The left image B includes four, first tofourth, color pixels in FIG. 4. The first color pixel is configured withthe unit images RL11, GL11 and BL11. The second color pixel isconfigured with the unit images RL12, GL12 and BL12. The third colorpixel is configured with the unit images RL13, GL13 and BL13. The fourthcolor pixel is configured with the unit images RL14, GL14 and BL14.

The control unit 40 alternately combine the unit image of the rightimage A and the unit image of the left image B so as to generate thecombined image C1 with the right image A and the left image B.

More specifically, when generating the combined image C1 with the rightimage A and the left image B, the control unit 40 uses the unit imagesof the right image A and the left image B in a plurality ofpredetermined lines as unit images forming the combined image C1. Forinstance, referring to FIG. 4, the unit images denoted by symbols withsuffixes 11 and 13 of the right image A and the left image B are used asthe unit images forming the combined image C1. Unit images in linesother than the plurality of predetermined lines of the right image A andthe left image B are not used as the unit images constituting thecombined image C1. That is, still referring to FIG. 4, the unit imagesdenoted by symbols with suffixes 12 and 14 of the right image A and theleft image B are not used as the unit images forming the combined imageC1.

As is apparent from the combined image C1 shown in FIG. 4, the controlunit 40 generates the combined image C1 by alternately arranging theunit images denoted by symbols with suffixes 11 and 13 of the rightimage A and the left image B in the matrix. It is to be appreciated thatthe combined image C1 is an image displayed on the typical liquidcrystal device employing the parallax barrier system shown in the FIG.3A.

The control unit 40 determines potentials to be applied to the pixelelectrodes 5 corresponding to the subpixels SGR and SGL on the basis ofthe gray-scale levels of the unit images of the combined image C1 asdescribed above, and then, supplies the control signals generated inaccordance with the determined potentials to the scanning line drivingcircuit 21 and the data line driving circuit 22.

As in the case of the image C1, a combined image C2 is displayed on theliquid crystal display panel 20 of the liquid crystal device 100 of theillustrated embodiment. As described before, the pixel electrodes 5 isdivided into the pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b. Therefore, eachof the unit images of the combined image C2 is divided into thesubpixels SGR (or the subpixels SGL), whereas each of the unit images ofthe combined image C1 is not. For example, referring to the upper leftof FIG. 5, the two unit images RR11 and the two unit images GL11 aredisplayed, such that one unit image RR11 and one unit image GL11 appearalternately. Two pixel electrode segments corresponding to the subpixelSGR displaying the unit image RR11 are pixel electrode segments 5 a and5 b which are electronically connected to each other, forming onecomb-tooth-shaped pixel electrode 5 (hereinafter referred to as “pixelelectrode 5RR”). Also, two pixel electrode segments corresponding to thesubpixel SGL displaying the unit image RL11 are pixel electrode segments5 a and 5 b which are electronically connected to each other, forminganother comb-tooth-shaped pixel electrode 5 (hereinafter referred to as“pixel electrode 5GL”). Then, the pixel electrode segments 5RR and 5GLinterdigitating with each other are arranged in one of the regionsdefined by the plurality of scanning lines 24 and the plurality of thedata lines 25.

Locations of the slits 9S of the parallax barrier 9 are also indicatedby dashed lines on the combined image C2 shown in FIG. 5. The viewer 11Ronly sees the unit images RR11, BR11, GR13, GR11, RR13 and BR13, whenseeing the combined image C2 through the slits 9S, thereby recognizingthe right image A alone. On the other hand, the viewer 11L only sees theunit images GL11, RL13, BL13, RL11, BL11 and GL13, when seeing thecombined image C2 through the slits 9S, thereby recognizing the leftimage B alone.

(Division of the Pixel Electrode)

A description will now be given of a manner in which the pixel electrodeis divided, with specific reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is asectional view illustrating in a greater scale a typical liquid crystaldisplaying panel. FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating in a greaterscale the liquid crystal displaying panel 20 according to theembodiment.

The liquid crystal display panel employing the parallax barrier systemhas the over-coating layer 8 provided between the parallax barrier 9 andthe color layer 6 so as to separate the parallax barrier 9 from theliquid crystal 4 by a predetermined distance. In this case, thethickness of the over-coating layer 8 is denoted by “dth”. When a pitchat which the pixel electrodes 5 are arranged is denoted by “pch”, thethickness dth of the over-coating layer is determined in order that theratio of the thickness dth of the over-coating layer 8 to the pitch pchat which the pixel electrodes 5 are arranged, i.e. dth/pch, falls withina predetermined range. The value of dth/pch is decided on the basis of aviewing angle or the like so that the both viewers at the differentviewing positions can see their desiring images. For example, dth/pch isset to be in the range of from 1.1 to 1.3. In the following description,dth/pch is set to be 1.1 as one example.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the typical liquid crystal device employing theparallax barrier system has the pitch of the arrangement of the pixelelectrodes 5 pch1 of, for example, 72 μm. In such a case, the thicknessof the over-coating layer 8 dth1 is determined to be 80 μm (72×1.1). Theover-coating layer 8 is formed to have a constant thickness by coatingan acrylic resin all over the parallax barrier 9 over a plurality oftimes. However, as the over-coating layer 8 becomes thicker, it becomesmore difficult to form the over-coating layer 8 having the constantthickness. A preferable thickness is 20 μm or less to safely form theover-coating layer 8 having the constant thickness. Therefore, forexample, when the thickness of the over-coating layer 8 dth1 isdetermined to be 80 μm, it is difficult to form the over-coating layer 8with the constant thickness and, therefore, the thickness of theover-coating layer 8 tends to vary according to a position on thesurface of the liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 6A exemplaryillustrates that the over-coating layer 8 is formed to have thethickness dth1 at the left side of the drawing, while the over-coatinglayer 8 is formed to have a thickness dth1 a thicker than the thicknessdth1 at the right side of the drawing. In the figure, the slit 9S of theparallax barrier located on a position corresponding to the over-coatinglayer 8 having the thickness dth1 a is indicated as a slit 9Sa.

When different images are provided for the different viewers at thedifferent viewing positions, respectively, through the slit 9Sa, notonly one image for respective viewer is seen by the viewer but also partof the other image is seen by the same viewer. In other words, acrosstalk is occurring. For example, not only light passing through thecolor layer component GcL is incident on the eyes of the viewer 11L, butalso light passing through the color layer component BcR is undesirablyincident on the eyes of the viewer 11L. Likewise, not only light passingthrough the color layer component RcR is incident on the eyes of theviewer 11R, but also light passing through the color layer component BcLis undesirably incident on the eyes of the viewer 11R. It has beennecessary to laminate four over-coating layers, each being 20 μm thick,so as to form the over-coating layer 8 of 80 μm thick.

Unlike the typical known liquid crystal device, the liquid crystaldevice 100 of the embodiment has the pixel electrodes 5 each of which isdivided into two pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b arranged at thesame pitch and having the same size as shown in FIG. 6B, and the colorlayer components and the slits 9S are arranged corresponding to thepixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, whenthe pitch pch1 of the arrangement of the pixel electrodes 5 is 72 μm,the pitch pch2 of the arrangement of each of pixel electrode segments 5a and 5 b is 36 μm. When the ratio of the thickness dth of theover-coating layer 8 to the pitch pch of the arrangement of the pixelelectrodes 5, i.e. dth/pch, is 1.1, the thickness dph2 of theover-coating layer 8 is 40 μm (36×1.1), since the pch2 of each pixelelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b is 36 μm. That is, the thickness dph2 ofthe over-coating layer 8 according to the embodiment may be as small ashalf of the thickness dph1 (here, 80 μm) of the over-coating layer 8 ofthe typical known display device. In this case, it suffices only tolaminate only two over-coating layers, each being 20 μm in thickness toform the over-coating layer 8.

As is understood from the description given before, the liquid crystaldevice 100 of the embodiment is configured to have the pixel electrode 5divided into pixel electrode segments 5 a and 5 b, and the color layercomponents and the slits 9S arranged corresponding to the pixelelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b, whereby it is possible to form theover-coating layer 8 thinner than the typical liquid crystal deviceemploying the parallax barrier system. Therefore, it is easier to formthe over-coating layer 8 having a constant thickness in the liquidcrystal device 100 of the embodiment comparing to the typical liquidcrystal device, so that the crosstalk can be reduced.

(Modifications)

Modifications of the liquid crystal device 100 of the embodiment will bedescribed hereafter. The pixel electrode 5 is divided into the two pixelelectrode segments 5 a and 5 b in the embodiment described before,however, the pixel electrodes 5 may be divided into three or more pixelelectrode segments. The larger the number of pixel electrode segments ofthe pixel electrode 5 becomes, the thinner the over-coating layer 8 canbe formed, thereby leading to a stable formation of the over-coatinglayer 8 having a constant thickness.

The modification is configured such that the number of the pixelelectrode segments divided from one pixel electrode 5 is determined in amanner in which the thickness of the over-coating layer 8 is smallerthan a “predetermined value” while the ratio of the over-coating layer 8to the pitch at which the pixel electrode segments are arranged, i.e.dth/pch, is substantially fixed. Here, the “predetermined value” is thethickness with which the over-coating layer 8 having the constantthickness can be stably formed. The predetermined value is preferably 20μm.

For example, when the ratio of dth/pch is set to be 1.1, the pitch ofthe arrangement of the pixel electrode segments needs to be 18 μm(20/1.1) or less in order to set the thickness of the over-coating layer8 smaller than or equal to 20 μm. Therefore, when the pitch of the pixelelectrode 5 is 72 μm, the number of the pixel electrode segments dividedfrom one pixel electrode 5 is determined to be four.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating structures of the pixel electrode 5divided into four pixel electrode segments. Each of the pixel electrodesegments 5 a and 5 b are denoted by the same alphabetic characters asthe color layer components corresponding thereto.

As is understood from FIG. 7, the subpixel SGR and the subpixel SGL arearranged alternately and two comb-shaped pixel electrodes 5 are arrangedinterdigitating with one another in each of the regions defined by theplurality of scanning lines 24 and the plurality of data lines 25, inthe same way as the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. When the pixel electrode5 is divided into four pixel electrode segments, the pixel electrode 5is configured to have one pixel electrode segment 5 a electricallyconnected to each scanning line 24 and each data line 25 via theswitching element 26, and three other pixel electrode segments 5 belectrically connected to the pixel electrode segment 5 a directly viathe lines 35. Therefore, potentials applied to the three pixel electrodesegments 5 b are the same as a potential applied to the pixel electrodesegment 5 a. The color of the color layer components corresponding tothe three pixel electrode segments 5 b is the same as the color of thecolor layer component corresponding to the pixel electrode segment 5 a.Consequently, the subpixels SGRs (or the subpixels SGLs) correspondingto the three pixel electrode segments 5 b display the same image as theimage displayed on the pixel electrode segment 5 a which is in a directelectrical connection with the pixel electrode segments 5 b.

When the pitch of the arrangement of the pixel electrodes 5 is 54 μm,the pixel electrode 5 is divided into three pixel electrode segmentslikewise. Also, when the pitch of the arrangement of the pixelelectrodes 5 is 36 μm, the pixel electrode 5 is divided into two pixelelectrode segments. In other words, the higher the resolution of theliquid crystal device is set, the smaller the number of division isdetermined. Also, the lower the resolution of the liquid crystal deviceis set, the larger the number of division is determined. Determining thenumber of division of the pixel electrode 5 constantly allows thethickness of the over-coating layer 8 to be 20 μm or less.

As is understood from the description before, the modification of theliquid crystal device 100 of the illustrated embodiment is configuredsuch that the number of the pixel electrode segments divided from onepixel electrode 5 is decided in a manner in which the thickness of theover-coating layer 8 is smaller than a “predetermined value” and theratio of the over-coating layer 8 to the pitch of the arrangement of thepixel electrode segments, i.e. dth/pch, is substantially fixed. By doingso, the over-coating layer 8 with the constant thickness is formedstably, so that the crosstalk is safely prevented or reduced.

The subpixels including the two pixel electrodes 5 located in onedefined region display two colors different from one another in theembodiment described before, however, the subpixels including two pixelelectrodes 5 located in the defined region may display the same color.For instance, by forming as described above, arranging the color layercomponents is facilitated because only one color layer component may beplaced over the defined region without placing two colors of the colorlayer components alternately, even though each color layer component isarranged corresponding to each pixel electrode 5. The liquid crystaldevice according to the embodiment are configured such that twoswitching elements 26 of one defined region are placed corresponding topoints of intersection of the scanning lines and the data lines 25. Oneswitching element 26 is arranged on one point of intersection of onescanning line 24 and one data line 25, and the other switching element26 is arranged on the other point of intersection where the otherscanning line 24 and the other data line 25 interect each other, asshown in FIG. 7. This arrangement, however, is not exclusive.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, two switching elements 26 of the onedefined region may be placed in such a manner that one switchingelements 26 is arranged on the point of intersection between onescanning line 24 and one data line 25, while the other switching element26 being arranged on the same scanning line 24 and the other data line25.

Also, the liquid crystal device according to the illustrated embodimentis configured such that the parallax barrier 9 is placed on a sideadjacent to the inner surface of the substrate 2. This arrangement alsois illustrative. Alternatively, the parallax barrier 9 may be placed ona side opposite to the inner surface of the substrate 2. Liquid crystaldevices, in which the present invention can be employed, include theliquid crystal device configured such that the light emitted from thelighting unit 10 enters and passes through the liquid crystal displaypanel 20 from the substrate 1 and leaves the substrate 2 to be seen byviewers observing the liquid crystal display panel 20 as shown in FIG.1, as well as the liquid crystal device configured such that thelocations between the substrate 1 and the substrate 2 are reversed fromthe above-described configuration. More specifically, the presentinvention can be employed in a liquid crystal device configured so thatthe light emitted from the lighting unit 10 enters and passes throughthe liquid crystal display panel 20 from the substrate 2 on which thecolor layer 6 is formed to be seen by the viewers observing the liquidcrystal display panel from the side adjacent to the substrate 1.

In the parallax barrier type liquid crystal device of the embodiment,the pixel electrode 5 is divided into the pixel electrode segments 5 aand 5 b. The described embodiment, however, can be used in other typesof display device. For example, the liquid crystal device may employ alenticular lens instead of the parallax barrier. Dividing pixelelectrode into pixel electrode segments allows the liquid crystal deviceemploying the lenticular lens which is capable of two-screen display orthree-dimensional image display to obtain a similar advantage as theliquid crystal device of the embodiment.

The present invention may be employed in not only the liquid crystaldevices, but also electro-optics devices including organicelectroluminescence devices, inorganic electroluminescence devices,plasma display devices, electrophoresis display devices, and fieldemission display devices. In the organic electroluminescence devices,not having the color layer, the over-coating layer is formed between anelectro-optic material and the parallax barrier.

Many modifications and variations are possible without fundamentallydeviating from the essence of the present invention.

(Electronic Apparatus)

An example of an electronic apparatus in which the liquid crystal device100 according to the embodiment can be employed will be now describedwith reference to FIG. 9.

A portable personal computer (a so-called laptop computer) will bedescribed, in which the liquid crystal device 100 is employed as adisplay unit thereof. FIG. 9A is a perspective view illustrating astructure of the personal computer. As shown in FIG. 9A, a personalcomputer 710 includes a body 712 having a keyboard 711 and a displayunit in which the liquid crystal device 100 is used as a panel.

The liquid crystal device 100 is suitably employed in a display unit ofa liquid crystal TV or a car navigation device. For example, when theliquid crystal device 100 is employed in the display unit of the carnavigation device, the display unit may display an image of a map for aviewer sitting on a driver seat and display video images such as a moviefor a viewer sitting on a passenger seat.

A cellular phone will be described, in which the liquid crystal device100 is employed as a display unit thereof. FIG. 9B is a perspective viewillustrating a structure of the cellular phone. As shown in FIG. 9B, acell phone 720 includes a plurality of operation buttons 721, an earpiece 722, a mouth piece 723 and a display unit 724 in which the liquidcrystal device 100 is employed.

Additionally, the examples of the electronic apparatus in which theliquid crystal device 100 is employed may include not only the personalcomputer described in FIG. 9A and the cellular phone described in FIG.9B, but also the liquid crystal TVs, video-tape recorders having aviewfinder or a monitor directly viewed by a user, the car navigationdevices, pagers, electronic personal organizers, calculators, wordprocessors, work stations, video phones, POS (point of sales) terminals,and digital still cameras.

1. An electro-optical device comprising: a first data line; a firstdisplay element that includes a first pixel electrode and a second pixelelectrode; and a second display element that includes a third pixelelectrode and a fourth pixel electrode; a third display element thatincludes a fifth pixel electrode and a sixth pixel electrode, the firstpixel electrode and the sixth pixel electrode being arranged along afirst direction along which the first data line extends; the fourthpixel electrode being positioned at a position opposite to the firstpixel electrode with regard to the first data line, a first outline ofthe first pixel electrode being constituted by a plurality of firstsides, a second outline of the second pixel electrode being constitutedby a plurality of second sides, a third outline of the third pixelelectrode being constituted by a plurality of third sides, a fourthoutline of the fourth pixel electrode being constituted by a pluralityof fourth sides, a fifth outline of the fifth pixel electrode beingconstituted by a plurality of fifth sides, a sixth outline of the sixthpixel electrode being constituted by a plurality of sixth sides, a firstdistance between a first first side positioned at a position closest tothe second pixel electrode among the plurality of first sides and afirst second side positioned at a position closest to the first pixelelectrode among the plurality of second sides being greater than asecond distance between a second first side positioned at a positionclosest to the fourth pixel electrode among the plurality of first sidesand a first fourth side positioned at a position closest to the firstpixel electrode among the plurality of fourth sides, the second distancebeing greater than a third distance between a third first sidepositioned at a position closest to the sixth pixel electrode among theplurality of first sides and a first sixth side positioned at a positionclosest to the first pixel electrode among the plurality of sixth sides,and no data line being arranged between the first pixel electrode andthe second pixel electrode.
 2. The electro-optical device according toclaim 1, the first first side being positioned a position opposite tothe first second side.
 3. The electro-optical device according to claim2, the second first side being positioned a position opposite to thefirst fourth side and the third first side being positioned a positionopposite to the first sixth side.
 4. An electro-optical device accordingto claim 3, further comprising: a first portion that connects the firstpixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, and supplies samevoltage to the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode; anda second portion that connects the third pixel electrode and the fourthpixel electrode, and supplies same voltage to the third pixel electrodeand the fourth pixel electrode.
 5. An electro-optical device accordingto claim 4, the first portion is disposed between the first pixelelectrode and the second pixel electrode; the second portion is disposedbetween the third pixel electrode and the fourth pixel electrode.
 6. Theelectro-optical device according to claim 5, the fourth pixel electrodebeing closest to the first pixel electrode among all of a plurality ofpixel electrodes that are arranged in an all area opposite to the firstpixel electrode with regard to the first data line.
 7. Anelectro-optical device comprising: a first data line; a plurality ofpixel electrodes; a plurality of switching elements, a first switchingelement of the plurality of switching elements supplying a fist datasignal to a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode of theplurality of pixel electrodes, a second switching element of theplurality of switching elements supplying a second data signal to athird pixel electrode and a fourth pixel electrode of the plurality ofpixel electrodes, a third switching element of the plurality ofswitching elements supplying a third data signal to a fifth pixelelectrode and a sixth pixel electrode of the plurality of pixelelectrodes, the first pixel electrode and the sixth pixel electrodebeing arranged along a first direction along which the first data lineextends; the fourth pixel electrode being positioned at a positionopposite to the first pixel electrode with regard to the first dataline, a first outline of the first pixel electrode being constituted bya plurality of first sides, a second outline of the second pixelelectrode being constituted by a plurality of second sides, a thirdoutline of the third pixel electrode being constituted by a plurality ofthird sides, a fourth outline of the fourth pixel electrode beingconstituted by a plurality of fourth sides, a fifth outline of the fifthpixel electrode being constituted by a plurality of fifth sides, a sixthoutline of the sixth pixel electrode being constituted by a plurality ofsixth sides, a first distance between a first first side positioned at aposition closest to the second pixel electrode among the plurality offirst sides and a first second side positioned at a position closest tothe first pixel electrode among the plurality of second sides beinggreater than a second distance between a second first side positioned ata position closest to the fourth pixel electrode among the plurality offirst sides and a first fourth side positioned at a position closest tothe first pixel electrode among the plurality of fourth sides, thesecond distance being greater than a third distance between a thirdfirst side positioned at a position closest to the sixth pixel electrodeamong the plurality of first sides and a first sixth side positioned ata position closest to the first pixel electrode among the plurality ofsixth sides, no pixel electrode being arranged between the first pixelelectrode and the fourth pixel electrode, no pixel electrode beingarranged between the first pixel electrode and the sixth pixelelectrode, and no data line being arranged between the first pixelelectrode and the second pixel electrode.
 8. The electro-optical deviceaccording to claim 7, the first first side being positioned a positionopposite to the first second side.
 9. The electro-optical deviceaccording to claim 8, the second first side being positioned a positionopposite to the first fourth side and the third first side beingpositioned a position opposite to the first sixth side.
 10. Anelectro-optical device according to claim 9, further comprising: a firstportion that connects the first pixel electrode and the second pixelelectrode, and supplies same voltage to the first pixel electrode andthe second pixel electrode; and a second portion that connects the thirdpixel electrode and the fourth pixel electrode, and supplies samevoltage to the third pixel electrode and the fourth pixel electrode. 11.An electro-optical device according to claim 10, the first portion isdisposed between the first pixel electrode and the second pixelelectrode; the second portion is disposed between the third pixelelectrode and the fourth pixel electrode.
 12. The electro-optical deviceaccording to claim 11, the fourth pixel electrode being closest to thefirst pixel electrode among all of a plurality of pixel electrodes thatare arranged in an all area opposite to the first pixel electrode withregard to the first data line.
 13. An electro-optical device comprising:a first data line; a plurality of pixel electrodes; a plurality ofswitching elements, a first switching element of the plurality ofswitching elements supplying a first data signal to a first pixelelectrode and a second pixel electrode of the plurality of pixelelectrodes, a second switching element of the plurality of switchingelements supplying a second data signal to a third pixel electrode and afourth pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes, a thirdswitching element of the plurality of switching elements supplying athird data signal to a fifth pixel electrode and a sixth pixel electrodeof the plurality of pixel electrodes, the first pixel electrode and thesixth pixel electrode being arranged along a first direction along whichthe first data line extends; the fourth pixel electrode being positionedat a position opposite to the first pixel electrode with regard to thefirst data line, a first outline of the first pixel electrode beingconstituted by a plurality of first sides, a second outline of thesecond pixel electrode being constituted by a plurality of second sides,a third outline of the third pixel electrode being constituted by aplurality of third sides, a fourth outline of the fourth pixel electrodebeing constituted by a plurality of fourth sides, a fifth outline of thefifth pixel electrode being constituted by a plurality of fifth sides, asixth outline of the sixth pixel electrode being constituted by aplurality of sixth sides, a first distance between a first first sidepositioned at a position closest to the second pixel electrode among theplurality of first sides and a first second side positioned at aposition closest to the first pixel electrode among the plurality ofsecond sides being greater than a second distance between a second firstside positioned at a position closest to the fourth pixel electrodeamong the plurality of first sides and a first fourth side positioned ata position closest to the first pixel electrode among the plurality offourth sides, the second distance being greater than a third distancebetween a third first side positioned at a position closest to the sixthpixel electrode among the plurality of first sides and a first sixthside positioned at a position closest to the first pixel electrode amongthe plurality of sixth sides, no pixel electrode being arranged betweenthe first pixel electrode and the fourth pixel electrode, no pixelelectrode being arranged between the first pixel electrode and the sixthpixel electrode, no data line being arranged between the first pixelelectrode and the second pixel electrode, and the first switchingelement and the third switching element being electrically connected tothe first data line.
 14. An electro-optical device comprising: a firstdata line; a first display element that divided into a first pixelsegment arranged at a first display region and a second pixel segmentarranged at a second display region; and a second display element thatdivided into a third pixel segment arranged at a third display regionand a fourth pixel segment arranged at a fourth display region, thefourth display region being positioned at a position opposite to thefirst display region with regard to the first data line, a firstdistance between the first display region and the second display regionbeing greater than a second distance between the first display regionand the fourth display region, the second distance being greater than athird distance between the first display element and another firstdisplay element next to the first display element in a direction alongwhich the first data line extends, and no data line being arrangedbetween the first pixel segment and the second pixel segment.
 15. Anelectro-optical device according to claim 14, the second distance beinggreater than a fourth distance between the second display element andanother second display element next to the second display element in thedirection along which the first data line extends, and no data linebeing arranged between the third pixel segment and the fourth pixelsegment.
 16. An electro-optical device according to claim 15, furthercomprising: a first portion that connects the first display region andthe second display region, and supplies same voltage to the firstdisplay region and the second display region; and a second portion thatconnects the third display region and the fourth display region, andsupplies same voltage to the third display region and the fourth displayregion.
 17. An electro-optical device according to claim 16, the firstportion is disposed between the first display region and the seconddisplay region; the second portion is disposed between the third displayregion and the fourth display region.
 18. The electro-optical deviceaccording to claim 17, the fourth display region being closest to thefirst display region among all of a plurality of display regions thatare arranged in an all area opposite to the first display region withregard to the first data line.
 19. An electro-optical device comprising:a first data line; and a plurality of first display elements that arearranged along a direction along which the first data line extends, allof a plurality of display elements positioned between one first displayelement of the plurality of first display elements and another firstdisplay element of the plurality of first display elements displaying anidentical color with the plurality of first display elements, each ofthe plurality of first display elements including a first pixel segmentarranged at a first display region and a second pixel segment arrangedat a second display region; and a plurality of second display elementsthat are arranged along the direction along which the first data lineextends, each of the plurality of second display elements including athird pixel segment arranged at a third display region and a fourthpixel segment arranged at a fourth display region, the fourth displayregion being positioned at a position opposite to the first displayregion with regard to the first data line, and a first distance betweenthe first display region and the second display region being greaterthan a second distance between the first display region and the fourthdisplay region, the second distance being greater than a third distancebetween the first display element and another first display element nextto the first display element in the direction along which the first dataline extends, and being greater than a fourth distance between onesecond display element of the plurality of second display elements andanother second display element next to the second display element in thedirection along which the first data line extends.
 20. Theelectro-optical device according to claim 19, the fourth display regionbeing closest to the first display region among all of a plurality ofdisplay regions that are arranged in an all area opposite to the firstdisplay region with regard to the first data line.
 21. Anelectro-optical device comprising: a first data line; and a plurality offirst display elements each of which includes a first pixel segmentarranged at a first display region and a second pixel segment arrangedat second display region, all of a plurality of display regions, arrayedin a direction along which the first data line extends, positionedbetween the first display region and another first display regiondisplaying an identical color with the first display region; and aplurality of second display elements each of which includes a thirdpixel segment arranged at a third display region and a fourth pixelsegment arranged at a fourth display region, all of a plurality ofdisplay regions, arrayed in the direction along which the first dataline extends, positioned between the fourth display region and anotherfourth display region displaying an identical color with the fourthdisplay region, the fourth display region being positioned at a positionopposite to the first display region with regard to the first data line,a first distance between the first display region and the second displayregion being greater than a second distance between the first displayregion and the fourth display region, and a portion that electricallyconnects the first display region to the second display region notintersecting any data line.
 22. An electro-optical device comprising: afirst data line; a first display element that include a first pixelsegment and a second pixel segment; and a second display element thatincludes a third pixel segment and a fourth pixel segment; a thirddisplay element that includes a fifth pixel segment and a sixth pixelsegment, the first display element and the third display element beingarranged along a first direction along which the first data lineextends; the fourth pixel segment being positioned at a positionopposite to the first pixel segment with regard to the first data line,a first distance between the first pixel segment and the second pixelsegment being greater than a second distance between the first pixelsegment and the fourth pixel segment, the second distance being greaterthan a third distance between the first pixel segment and the sixthpixel segment, and no data line being arranged between the first pixelsegment and the second pixel segment.
 23. An electro-optical deviceaccording to claim 22, further comprising: a first portion that connectsthe first pixel segment and the second pixel segment, and supplies samevoltage to the first pixel segment and the second pixel segment; and asecond portion that connects the third pixel segment and the fourthpixel segment, and supplies same voltage to the third pixel segment andthe fourth pixel segment.
 24. An electro-optical device according toclaim 23, the first portion is disposed between the first pixel segmentand the second pixel segment; the second portion is disposed between thethird pixel segment and the fourth pixel segment.
 25. Theelectro-optical device according to claim 24, the fourth pixel segmentbeing closest to the first pixel segment among all of a plurality ofpixel segment that are arranged in an all area opposite to the firstpixel segment with regard to the first data line.
 26. An electro-opticaldevice comprising: a first data line; a first subpixel that divided intoa first pixel electrode segment corresponding to a first color layerregion and a second pixel electrode segment corresponding to a secondcolor layer region, the first color layer region and the second colorlayer region are displaying an identical color; and a second subpixelthat divided into a third pixel electrode segment corresponding to athird color layer region and a fourth pixel electrode segmentcorresponding to a fourth color layer region, the third color layerregion and the fourth color layer region are displaying an identicalcolor, the fourth color layer region being positioned at a positionopposite to the first color layer region with regard to the first dataline, a first distance between the first color layer region and thesecond color layer region being greater than a second distance betweenthe first color layer region and the fourth color layer region, thesecond distance being greater than a third distance between the firstsubpixel and another first subpixel next to the first subpixel in adirection along which the first data line extends, and no data linebeing arranged between the first color layer region and the second colorlayer region.
 27. An electro-optical device according to claim 26, thesecond distance being greater than a fourth distance between the secondsubpixel and another second subpixel next to the second subpixel in thedirection along which the first data line extends, and no data linebeing arranged between the third color layer region and the fourth colorlayer region.
 28. An electro-optical device according to claim 27,further comprising: a first portion that connects the first pixelelectrode segment and the second pixel electrode segment, and suppliessame voltage to the first pixel electrode segment and the second pixelelectrode segment; and a second portion that connects the third pixelelectrode segment and the fourth pixel electrode segment, and suppliessame voltage to the third pixel electrode segment and the fourth pixelelectrode segment.
 29. An electro-optical device according to claim 28,the first portion is disposed between the first color layer region andthe second color layer region; the second portion is disposed betweenthe third color layer region and the fourth color layer region.
 30. Theelectro-optical device according to claim 29, the fourth color layerregion being closest to the first color layer region among all of aplurality of color layer regions that are arranged in an all areaopposite to the first color layer region with regard to the first dataline.
 31. An electro-optical device comprising: a first data line; and aplurality of first subpixels that are arranged along a direction alongwhich the first data line extends, all of a plurality of subpixelspositioned between one first subpixel of the plurality of firstsubpixels and another first subpixel of the plurality of first subpixelsdisplaying an identical color with the plurality of first subpixels,each of the plurality of first subpixels including a first pixelelectrode segment corresponding to a first color layer region and asecond pixel electrode segment corresponding to a second color layerregion; and a plurality of second subpixels that are arranged along thedirection along which the first data line extends, each of the pluralityof second subpixels including a third pixel electrode segmentcorresponding to a third color layer region and a fourth electrodesegment corresponding to a fourth color layer region, the fourth colorlayer region being positioned at a position opposite to the first colorlayer region with regard to the first data line, and a first distancebetween the first color layer region and the second color layer regionbeing greater than a second distance between the first color layerregion and the fourth color layer region, the second distance beinggreater than a third distance between the first subpixel and anotherfirst subpixel next to the first subpixel in the direction along whichthe first data line extends, and being greater than a fourth distancebetween the second subpixel and another second subpixel next to thesecond subpixel in the direction along which the first data lineextends.
 32. The electro-optical device according to claim 31, thefourth color layer region being closest to the first color layer regionamong all of a plurality of color layer regions that are arranged in anall area opposite to the first color layer region with regard to thefirst data line.
 33. An electro-optical device comprising: a first dataline; and a plurality of first subpixels each of which includes a firstpixel electrode segment corresponding to a first color layer region anda second pixel electrode segment corresponding to a second color layerregion, all of a plurality of pixel electrode segments, arrayed in adirection along which the first data line extends, positioned betweenthe first pixel electrode segment and another first pixel electrodesegment displaying an identical color with the first pixel electrodesegment; and a plurality of second subpixels each of which includes athird pixel electrode segment corresponding to a third color layerregion and a fourth pixel electrode segment corresponding to a fourthcolor layer region, all of a plurality of pixel electrode segments,arrayed in the direction along which the first data line extends,positioned between the fourth pixel electrode segment and another fourthpixel electrode segment displaying an identical color with the fourthpixel electrode segment, the fourth color layer region being positionedat a position opposite to the first color layer region with regard tothe first data line, a first distance between the first color layerregion and the second color layer region being greater than a seconddistance between the first color layer region and the fourth color layerregion, and a portion that electrically connects the first pixelelectrode segment to the second pixel electrode segment not intersectingany data line.